News Desk
Islamabad, April 30, 2025:
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) released its annual report, State of Human Rights in 2024, in Islamabad on Tuesday, highlighting what it described as a year marked by democratic erosion, increased militancy, and shrinking civic space.
The report documents serious concerns over the state of governance, law and order, and civil liberties in Pakistan throughout 2024. It criticizes the February 2024 general elections, citing widespread allegations of electoral manipulation and unresolved disputes over reserved seats for a major political party. HRCP notes that the post-election environment saw the passage of flawed legislation and a growing role for undemocratic forces.
One of the most pressing issues identified was the sharp rise in militancy-related violence, with over 2,500 reported fatalities, primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Additionally, 24 people were reportedly killed by vigilante mobs, many incidents linked to blasphemy allegations in regions such as Swat and Sargodha.
Speaking at the launch, HRCP Chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt cited at least 379 new cases of enforced disappearances in 2024, alongside reports of two extrajudicial killings and nearly 4,900 police encounters in Punjab and Sindh. Former chairperson Hina Jilani stressed that enforced disappearances were indefensible under any circumstances and that violence must be addressed within the bounds of law.
The report also highlighted increasing pressure on religious minorities. More than 1,200 individuals were reportedly imprisoned on blasphemy charges, often targeted by far-right groups through online entrapment. The Ahmadiyya community suffered at least six killings and over 200 instances of desecration of graves and worship spaces.
HRCP criticized the government’s suppression of dissent, pointing to the ongoing ban on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), arrests of journalists, restrictions on public assembly through Section 144, and the prohibition of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement. HRCP Co-Chair Munizae Jahangir condemned legislation that insulates public officials from criticism, calling it an affront to freedom of expression.
The report also underscored persistent issues in the justice system, noting 2.4 million pending court cases and an overcrowding rate of 228 percent in prisons. Although courts issued at least 174 death sentences during the year, no executions were carried out.
Workers in hazardous sectors remained vulnerable, with at least 172 work-related deaths among miners, sanitation staff, and polio workers. Violence against women and children also continued unabated, with 405 reported honour killings, 4,175 rape cases, and over 1,600 instances of domestic murders and child abuse each.
HRCP expressed concern over the government’s repatriation of Afghan nationals, raising questions about compliance with international standards. The report also documented poor outcomes in education and healthcare, alongside worsening environmental conditions due to extreme weather events and air pollution.
Nasreen Azhar, Vice-Chair of HRCP’s Islamabad chapter, closed the launch by warning against executive overreach following the 26th constitutional amendment, which she said had encroached upon judicial independence.
The full report is available at: https://tinyurl.com/432sdzmb.
I am not in Pakistan. I am not in UNO/HRCP, but after reading this report, made me think, what government is doing? Why their is no law? Punishment for those who r killing, rapping, accusing, blaming minorities for their faith. What is stopping authorities to improve the legal, political, religious, human, and civic rights for minorities in Pakistan. What serious actions HRCP took? After providing this report, what will change?